Category

Shopping

Downtown Crossing

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Downtown Crossing is the retail shopping district in Boston located
at the intersection of Washington, Winter, and Summer Streets. The
photo above is looking north on Washington Street, with Winter Street on the
left, and Summer Street on the right. This bustling intersection was
at one time so popular that William Filene labeled it
The Hub of the Universe.

Even today, at lunch time especially, this area is crowded with people.
Washington Street, from Temple Place to Franklin Street, is a pedestrian
mall, with only emergency and delivery vehicles allowed access. At
noon-time, thousands of people cross Washington Street each day, on their way to
restaurants, stores, specialized services like financial planning or
legal advice, or to government offices like the State House or City Hall.

Downtown Crossing

The eminent store at Downtown Crossing is Macy's.
Filene's Basement was recently closed and had been located in the basement of the historic 426
Washington Street building, and was the very first location of this retail
chain. The Corner Mall is opposite Macy's on
Winter Street, and hosts a food court and several retail stores.

Downtown Crossing is the home to stores that specialize in jewelry,
drugs, health and beauty products, accessories, books, music, videos, cell phone services, banking
services, and several pushcart vendors. If you enjoy crowds, this
can be considered one of the most bustling intersections in Boston during weekdays, and is a
popular shopping area.

Please note that most stores in Downtown Crossing close early, as the area
caters to commuters that work in downtown Boston, and then drive or take the
subway home at the end of the business day.

Of historical interest, Downtown Crossing once hosted the rival department
stores Filene's and Jordan Marsh (much like Macy's and Gimbel's in New York
City years ago). The Filene's Store had at one time a real zoo on its rooftop, and
each December Jordan Marsh hosted Enchanted Village,
which was a simulation of a small town on Christmas Eve. Other
famous stores long gone are Raymond's near Franklin Street, and Kresge's
near Temple Place.